Training for the Holiday Season by Kacie Cleveland

Okay, the top three sugar-coated holidays are coming up and you need to be ready for them! Instead of pretending like you’re not going to partake in this year’s candy corn, turkey stuffing, or Grandma’s secret pink Jell-o recipe this Christmas, get your body trained and ready… the good times are coming!

Morning Metabolism Wake-Up

The best thing you can do for your metabolism is to WAKE IT UP and get it moving, first thing in the morning!

Drink 16 oz. water.

Three rounds of:

> 10 Air Squats – Keep your weight in your heels and chest up.

> 10 Push-Ups – Chest to the floor! Drop to your knees if you have to.

Make your bed! This does not burn fat, but you’ll feel better throughout the day knowing you would make your mother proud!

Lunchtime (not party time)

Just like any race, those who are the most prepared usually take home the gold! Packing your own lunch is the best way to prevent “mid-day regret syndrome” which usually includes fast food, high-carb sugary snacks and wrestling with the vending machine monster! Some foods I pack with me are: lunch meat, full fat cheese, nuts and vegetables. I always have gluten-free Promax bars with me to snack on throughout the day and to keep me from getting hungry and making bad choices! It also helps that they are delicious tasting!

Winner, Winner, Protein Dinner!

Because carbohydrates are never hard to find, I like to prepare my meals around my protein! Chicken, steak or fish are usually the spotlight of my dinners, with fibrous vegetables as the sideshow! Asparagus, broccoli and brussel sprouts are great steamed or sautéed in coconut oil. Don’t be afraid to add healthy fats like avocado, fatty fish and nuts to your diet. They will help you feel fuller, longer, carry essential nutrients through your body and are a natural source of energy!

Mandatory Workout

As our schedules get busier and busier we have to make sure we keep our health a priority. The only way I make sure to get my workout in is to make it mandatory in my schedule! What time you train is up to you, but if you are tired, drained or wiped out at the end of the day, I would recommend getting your Sweat On in the morning so you never miss a workout! I am including one of my favorite “no excuses” workouts I do whenever I don’t have time and can’t make it into the gym!

Five rounds of:

> 10 Air Squats – Getting that booty LOW.

> 8 Push-Ups – Touch the floor with your chest and drop to your knees if you have to.

> 6 Lunge Jumps – Keep weight in heels and chest up. Jump straight into the air and switch legs before landing.

> 4 V-Ups – Keep legs and arms straight.

> Two Minutes of Jump Rope (or 100 High Knees if you don’t have a rope).